Boast Only in God

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 NKJV

In a story published yesterday by trailrunner magazine titled “UTMB Group Doubles UTMB Mont Blanc Prize Money,” it was reported that The UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, France will now carry a prize purse of almost $300,000 spread among top 10 women and men finishers in the three marquee races of the UTMB World Series championship week, the UTMB Group announced on June 18. This year’s UTMB Mont Blanc winners will now earn about $21,500, more than double the prize money Courtney Dauwalter and Jim Walmsley took home after winning the women’s and mens’s races last year… Given that only a handful of athletes worldwide make more than about $75,000 per year from shoe brand contracts, it seems as if the athletes will embrace the increases.

And you know, when it comes to working for increases, we would all do well to work even harder for those gains that have eternal value—following the example of Paul, who humbly worked alongside Apollos as God’s fellow worker, giving God the glory for bringing “the increase.” You see, Paul acknowledged that he planted the seed, and that Apollos watered the seed, but (most importantly) that the Lord grew the seed… something only He was able to do. Do you just love that or what? It’s this attitude that says, “Lord, I will humbly embrace and do whatever job you give me to aid the process of bringing about ‘the increase’ as long as You get the glory. Use me however you see fit.”

So let us be content with wherever God has placed us, knowing that we are co-laborers with Christ my friend. Let us view it as the honor that it is so that we, like Paul, will boast in nothing but the work of God. After all, He is the only One who can bring “the increase.”

Heavenly Father, we thank You for granting us the privilege and honor of being your co-workers. It’s a special right that we must never take for granted and one that should have us shouting for joy! Help us to work hard, remain humble, stay faithful, and always give you the glory for the increase. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!